Ultimate Expedition (2018–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Hanging by a Wire - full transcript
[Narrator]
Previously on Ultimate
Expedition
Oh my god I'm so tired.
[Narrator] The team of
novice climbers
got no time to rest.
We hiked for 12 hours crazy
high up into the mountains.
[Narrator] As training hit a
new level of intensity.
I've just been having like
the worst headache.
[Narrator] Lia suffered from
pulmonary edema
and was evacuated.
We have to climb up that?
[Narrator] The
remaining climbers were tested
on their most technical
challenge yet
a 100-foot sheer ice wall.
(Jukka groans)
Nikki was unable to complete
the challenge
and her fate hangs in the
balance.
Are we gonna give her a
chance?
[Narrator] And now with the
toughest team member
in jeopardy
(Chuck coughs)
a massive ice bridge
has collapsed and the team
only has two days to
prepare for the worst case
scenario.
(Steve-O grunts)
[Man] Falling falling,
falling.
(suspenseful music)
Hey babe it's me.
Um I'm calling from a
satellite phone
so you might not recognize the
number.
So I'm just gonna leave
a message like I'm talking to
you.
[Narrator] The expedition
team meets
to decide Nikki's fate.
So we give Nikki an
opportunity to try
and push her limits because
it is an expedition.
They might say that I can't
do it
but I love you and I miss you
so much.
And I don't know if you're in
Seattle right now
but if you're home just
please tell Iris
that I love her and I miss
her.
And give her a big hug for me.
And she was crying but she
really like pushed her
like limit higher and higher
and higher so--
Like it's just like crazy
physical.
Well my legs were like giving
out
and like it hurt so bad.
Like I just couldn't do it
anymore.
And I don't know if I'm gonna
get eliminated.
[Jukka] Are we gonna keep
her in
or should we cut her
out because of the risk factor?
Because of her spirit I
will give her a chance.
But if she has any kind of
problem
to when we are going up
to Ishinca hike that's it.
I will cut her out from
expedition.
That's it.
I think that's fair.
We'll give her a chance.
I signed on because I wanted
to climb the mountain
but it keeps getting like
really really hard.
And it's just frustrating
for me when I'm putting myself
all out there and then I just
can't do it.
You've made it this far.
To see you break down
and still keep on pushing
that's what I'm really looking
at.
Yeah.
[Jukka] We decided to give
you another chance.
[Nikki] So I'm not
eliminated?
You still get to try.
We're gonna give her that
chance
because she really wants to do
it.
She wants to do it for her
daughter.
I can't believe that
I actually didn't get
eliminated.
And so I feel like maybe I can
do the next thing too.
[Narrator] The
expedition leaders have allowed
Nikki
to continue but she's not the
only one
they must closely monitor.
(Chuck coughs)
Good morning Chuck.
[Chuck] Good morning.
[Narrator] Chuck has a
lingering cough
that has the expedition doctor
concerned.
How's your cough?
It's still there.
[Narrator] He will not be
cleared to climb
if his health gets worse.
I'm like yeah I'm fine.
That's the only answer that
makes sense.
I do not wanna get cut.
I do not want them to stop me.
Thank you doc.
(Chuck coughs)
See you.
[Narrator] In two days the
team will attempt
their first
summit 18,000-foot Mount
Ishinca.
It'll be their final test
before summiting
the much higher and far
more technical Mount Tocllaraju.
But in the Peruvian Andes the
ice is always changing.
Global warming is
melting glaciers at a rapid
rate
and they're in constant flux.
So before the rest of
the expedition team can attempt
to summit the local
guides must scout the ascent
route.
So the team has a day to rest
and prepare
for the hike to Ishinca
(mumbles).
This is our lovely laundry
room here?
Step one fill up the bag with
some water.
Oh it's so cold!
Okay get a little soap in
there.
Make your own spin cycle you
know.
Look how dirty the water is in
the bag.
That's what we were sitting
in this filth.
Like you can't it's so foggy.
[Steve-O] Choking
out provided that you don't hit
your head and you're not on
drugs or drunk is safe.
For the most part yes.
I mean there's things that can
happen.
[Steve-O] So you can
just choke me out real quick.
I can choke you out if you
wanna be choked out.
Yes.
Warning guys warning.
What you're about to see is
under the supervision
of the most
professional motherfucker ever,
okay?
Don't play like this.
It's not a funny game
unless you're with Chuck
Liddell.
I have to pee.
Am I likely to pee myself when
I'm out.
Most likely not
because I'm not gonna keep you
out that long.
As soon as you go out--
So you just know what the
fuck you're doing.
(Steve-O grunts)
That was a good one.
(group laughs) That was a
really good one.
Holy shit I had no idea where
I was!
That was amazing!
Chuck Liddell you're a
badass!
Yeah!
He shakes like this.
He just like laid you down
and went.
There you go.
(group laughs) - That was
crazy.
[Steve-O] If you're gonna
get choked out--
Get choked out by Chuck.
Yeah!
Whoo!
That's what you call a
freelapse.
Yeah dude.
All right we made
a swimming pool yesterday.
We dammed there and we dammed
there.
And now Jukka is gonna take a
little bath in it.
(Yukka grunts)
(Gus laughs)
Oh no somebody save it.
Holy baloney!
Ah. (beep)
I cut my foot.
[Gus] Are you okay?
[Chachi] Are you all right?
[Narrator] With no access to
hospitals
or emergency vehicles,
the medical tent is the only
place
to treat injuries at base
camp.
(Jukka groans)
Two years ago when we were
here
a blister took one guy out.
Will this take me down?
Is there a risk for that?
Doctor told me take a rest
day.
I hope that's it for now
and this doesn't get infected.
I just gotta pay attention at
getting healthy again.
Well screw my life.
[Narrator] Minor injuries
turn crippling
in extreme altitudes.
Jukka's attempt to summit is
in jeopardy
without getting rest.
He'll need to sit out the next
challenge.
Up on Ishinca the scouts have
been
checking the route near the
summit
and they radioed down with a
problem.
Several ice bridges have
collapsed.
Now there is no way up the
mountain
without crossing massive
crevices
Apparently there was like
an ice bridge
on top of the mountain
that everybody used to cross.
But that collapsed and now
we have to use aluminum ladders.
[Pete] Does that scare you?
That does scare me
because it's over like a
crevice.
Yeah and it's like eight
meters wide.
That's fucking huge.
You can't jump that.
[Jasmeet] You cannot jump
that.
As you may have heard a
giant crevice has opened
directly on the path of the
summit.
Now that means that today,
we're practicing
how to rescue your teammate or
yourself from an accident.
We're minimizing the
risks and we've got guides
professional guides with us,
but they can get
into an accident as much as
one of you guys.
We might feel safe because
we have guides
but the truth is it's possible
that we have to save the
guides.
It is.
Or if you fall in the crevice,
you gotta be able
to save yourself because the
other teammates
might not be able to get you
out of there.
There's no helicopters coming
in here.
Helicopters can't even fly to
this base camp.
It's up to your team to
save you and get you to safety.
And I'll be evaluating you.
I evaluate people.
First of all it's
mountaineering skills.
The next is their health and
condition.
And the third part is,
of course the teamwork skills.
If people are not
focused enough they're out.
[Jukka] 10 minutes and then
we start.
[Narrator] The team will be
put through
a final series of tests.
First the climbers
must complete a simulated
crevice crossing while roped
together.
When somebody falls,
the first thing he or she does
is he shouts falling as loud
as he can.
And everybody in the rope team
repeats
so that the people know what
is going on.
When you hear shout falling
you take a self arrest
position
which is that you take
from the axe and from the spike.
[Antti] Falling!
[Mikko] You just fall on
your axe shaft.
Okay now each rope team can
start individually
just walk and practice.
[Narrator] Like
military drill instructors
the Finnish guides will create
a high-stress situation to
test the team.
They must identify any weak
links
and remove them from the
expedition
because at 20,000 feet panic
can be lethal.
[Man] Falling!
[Narrator] To mitigate
a fall climbers must learn
how to keep the rope tight.
No we're good.
Oh yeah falling!
Nope.
Jumping.
[Narrator]
Constant communication is key.
The pace on a rope is
determined by the slowest team
member.
[Chachi] I'm trying to keep
up with the guys.
[Narrator] So the
expedition leaders are looking
for
how the group moves together
as one unit.
[Chachi] Jumping.
Here we go.
Jumping.
[Gus] Stop.
[Chachi] Dang it.
Ooh!
I'm fine.
Yeah I'm not here to get
eliminated.
So I'm trying to get to the
top of the mountain.
And if I was with a group that
was capable of doing that
and there was one weak link,
whoever it was
I would absolutely drag the
rope with them
behind them to make sure
that the other three of us
didn't get eliminated.
[Man] Falling!
[Nikki] Falling!
[Narrator] After two
hours of jump and fall training,
everyone moves on to the next
task.
I was actually really
surprised.
I was watching thy guys
(mumbles)
and I was checking their like
eyes and the face.
And everybody were
like really really focused
what they were doing
and I saw that they were like
thinking.
[Narrator] To cross a
crevice
teams must use an aluminum
ladder.
Any misstep could be deadly.
In this next test they will
wear 50-pound packs
and will also use crampons to
simulate the weight
and balance issues they will
face.
(Chuck coughs)
Okay so there's going to be
like huge crevice.
If some reason he is going to
fall or the next one
is going to fall we are like
keeping the rope tight.
Like you can see where
Carlos is putting his crampons.
It's middle of (mumbles) the
ladder.
So that's the base balance you
can get in the ladder.
Both hands in the ladder
and you are not falling down.
Walking in crampons is quite
awkward.
It's like if you had like
stiletto heels
all over the bottom of your
foot
(chuckles) like on your toes
and everything too.
But we're gonna have to do
that up there
so it's important that we
learn down here.
[Narrator] To safely
cross the ladder in crampons
each team member must
be extremely alert to their
footing.
One slip could send the
entire rope team into the
crevice.
[Man] Really good.
[Nikki] Yeah I'm on it now.
[Chachi] Oh yeah you can't
look up. (chuckles)
Ready.
(Chuck coughs)
You definitely hear Chuck
coughing a lot.
Chuck is so strong.
I don't know what he can take
and what he can't take.
[Narrator] With time running
out
before the team leaves to
climb Ishinca
and increasing the threat
of more ice bridges collapsing,
there's one final
challenge they must complete.
Okay please half circle
over there.
[Narrator] This final
exercise
simulates the worst case
scenario.
Today we're learning about
self rescue
which is super important
when you're up in the mountains
in case you fall in a crevice
or something.
We are attached to rope lines,
so we have other people to
look out for us
and other people that we're
looking out for.
But ultimately at some point,
you're kinda always looking
out for yourself.
It's possible that we take a
step which we think is safe
but then boom it breaks and
we fall in.
It is possible yeah.
So when we are walking up to
like a summit
we have to pass those
crevices.
So that's why we have to train
today this thing okay?
Okay so first you are taking
the rope
and you are doing there with
knot.
Clove hitch.
Clove hitch yeah.
And next to that,
you're putting your carabiner
attach to the (mumbles)
and then you're putting inside
of your leg.
After that you are lifting
your leg loop
higher stand up and then
again leg loop.
So you have to find the rhythm
for that.
Okay so I think now you can
start to climb up.
[Narrator] In order to pass,
each team member
must ascend a 25-foot
line pulling themselves upward
only using knots and ropes.
Pete is good guy.
He's strong and he's team
player.
But I think his physics are not
for mountaineering. He's
more like a deadlift man.
[Narrator] What may look
easy is actually
the most physically demanding
test so far.
But it's about technique not
brute strength.
(beep) Too fat for this
shit.
Well I haven't seen
Pete look this like daunted.
[Gus] This has been tough.
Can you imagine like
12 hours into a hike doing this?
And then like imagine if it's
a 100-foot crevice.
[Pete] Shut the (beep) up.
(group laughs)
Yes.
[Man] Yeah Pete.
(group cheers)
It was difficult. (chuckles)
It was very frustrating.
Body weight does play into it,
and that makes a big
difference when you have to
lug more weight up.
It requires more effort.
I'm dead. (chuckles)
Yeah.
Hi-ya!
I'll give myself a little more
slack.
When you have the
rhythm it's easy but then...
[Pete] Gus of
course crushing it like usual.
[Steve-O] Gus of
course making me look terrible.
[Pete] Yeah.
[Man] Very good very good.
Good job.
(grunts) Hi-ya.
Ah (beeps).
The (beep) do I do now?
Ah I hate this!
[Gus] And stand up stand
up.
I was really like for
that to be the one and only time
that I ever go through that in
my whole life.
The boys are struggling.
And I am watching them
thinking man
if they're struggling what's
gonna happen to me?
Nice Chachi.
Crushing it Chachi.
[Steve-O] Chachi's awesome.
[Gus] Yeah Chachi!
I don't know if it's because
I'm lighter
or I'm more flexible but,
uh thank you ballet training.
That's all I can say.
(chuckles)
(Jasmeet grunts)
The self rescue is a test of
like
your patience and you not
panicking.
Just be completely calm
and like understand the rhythm
of how everything goes and
then you'll be fine.
[Gus] Yeah Jus.
(group claps)
All right now let's see if
I can do this.
Nice nice.
There you go.
I came here saying that
I want to live in the moment
but I don't know if
I've necessarily been practicing
that
because I've been focusing so
much on the end goal.
I have to let go of the worry
and just be there
in the moment and try to do my
best in the moment.
Touch that?
(group claps)
So Nikki's hanging on.
It's very good.
She stuck in there and
she still wants to go further.
So that's a really good
attitude to have.
[Man] Excellent good job.
(Nikki chuckles)
(Chuck coughs)
You're doing great buddy.
[Man] Just take your time.
(Chuck breathes heavily)
You can see Chuck
struggling.
It really sucks because he is
really awesome
really supportive.
He's just a team player.
I am a little worried that he
is sick.
(Chuck coughs)
Give yourself a breather if
you need it man.
There's no rush.
You're stuck in a crevice.
I don't know if Chuck is
sick.
I don't know if it's just a
dry cough.
I don't know.
He says he's okay.
You know he's a fighter,
right?
A couple of us are a
little concerned and worried,
you know.
We don't want it to get worse
because we're gonna be pushing
a lot harder now.
Your immune system is gonna
get affected.
We're worried about our team,
you know.
[Chachi] You got it Chuck.
Yes.
[Chachi] You got it.
[Man] Nice Chuck.
(group cheers)
Good job.
Self rescue was a tough one.
It's a little tougher for guys
like me and Pete because we're
heavier.
I'd rather avoid falling in a
crevice
and not have to do that.
And if I do do that if I fall
in a crevice
I hope they can lower me a
rope and pull me out.
[Narrator] Everyone on
the team has passed the test.
Back at base camp,
Chuck attempts to reach his wife
by satellite phone before
nightfall.
It's not easy to get service
here.
My wife gets nervous when I do
anything pretty much.
She worries about me.
It'll make her real happy to
hear that I'm doing well.
Hey baby I'm gonna try one
more time.
But in case I don't get you
again I did great.
Everything's going great.
I feel pretty good.
I mean other than having a
cough
everything's going as planned.
I'm gonna get there.
I'm gonna do it.
Tell the kids I love 'em.
I miss you guys a lot.
Bye.
I retired almost seven years
ago.
I got new kids now and I
don't want them to see
the guy that was world
champion.
I don't want them to see a guy
resting on what he's done in
the past.
So that's what I'm here for,
just to start to that
showing them who their dad
really is.
Coming here has got
me refocused and re-centered.
I can't wait to get up there.
[Narrator] Before
clearing them to climb Ishinca,
Dr. Hikey needs to reevaluate
Jukka's toe injury
and Chuck's worsening cough.
[Jukka] It's infected,
right?
Yeah.
(beep) It is
heartbreaking and it's a really
important thing for me to get
on top of that mountain.
I wanna be able to be there
with the team
supporting them every step of
the way and do it myself.
Now take a deep breath.
(Chuck coughs)
It might be a virus infection.
There's no need for
antibiotic treatment but you
can get
medicine that helps to get out
of the sputum.
Okay perfect.
Yeah.
I've been coughing a little
bit.
And (coughs) but I
still wanted to check it out
make sure I'm okay.
I mean my heart rate's great.
Saturation's fine.
He said he was gonna give me
something
to try to get some of the
phlegm up I guess.
But I should be all right.
I'll be good.
[Narrator] The entire
team is cleared to summit
Ishinca.
Now that we're going to
Ishinca
we're gonna be carrying a
lot of stuff from sleeping bags,
to tents to our own food that
we'll be cooking.
So they'll show how to
pack and what you exactly need.
[Narrator] The climbers will
need to carry
everything on their
backs stoves tents food,
water.
The bags will range in weight
from 50 to 85 pounds.
And for those already
struggling with illness or
injury
and already difficult
climb could become impossible.
So Chuck's been sick.
It's clear that he knows
it but he doesn't want to stop.
He's a fighter.
That's his life.
No matter the pain he wants
to win.
And the win here is the summit
if Ishinca.
He's been struggling.
You can see it but he won't
admit it.
He won't admit it.
I don't know what it's gonna
take
to summit the mountain,
actually.
I come into this not
knowing anything about
mountaineering.
(beep)
I don't know.
I don't wanna quit so I'm not
worried about
having to make a
decision whether I wanna quit.
But obviously it's not up to
me.
We'll see.
[Narrator] Coming up on
Ultimate Expedition.
So we're leaving base camp
with heavy ass bags to go to
high camp.
[Gus] How heavy do you think
these packs are?
[Jasmeet] It feels like 75
pounds.
It makes a huge difference.
(Chuck coughs)
Chuck he's sick.
I already feel like I'm
gonna throw up.
Yeah?
I still might be able to
keep going
I just don't know how far.
[Jukka] Chuck Liddell he
can barely breathe.
Today was the first time
that I saw that he might not
make it.
Previously on Ultimate
Expedition
Oh my god I'm so tired.
[Narrator] The team of
novice climbers
got no time to rest.
We hiked for 12 hours crazy
high up into the mountains.
[Narrator] As training hit a
new level of intensity.
I've just been having like
the worst headache.
[Narrator] Lia suffered from
pulmonary edema
and was evacuated.
We have to climb up that?
[Narrator] The
remaining climbers were tested
on their most technical
challenge yet
a 100-foot sheer ice wall.
(Jukka groans)
Nikki was unable to complete
the challenge
and her fate hangs in the
balance.
Are we gonna give her a
chance?
[Narrator] And now with the
toughest team member
in jeopardy
(Chuck coughs)
a massive ice bridge
has collapsed and the team
only has two days to
prepare for the worst case
scenario.
(Steve-O grunts)
[Man] Falling falling,
falling.
(suspenseful music)
Hey babe it's me.
Um I'm calling from a
satellite phone
so you might not recognize the
number.
So I'm just gonna leave
a message like I'm talking to
you.
[Narrator] The expedition
team meets
to decide Nikki's fate.
So we give Nikki an
opportunity to try
and push her limits because
it is an expedition.
They might say that I can't
do it
but I love you and I miss you
so much.
And I don't know if you're in
Seattle right now
but if you're home just
please tell Iris
that I love her and I miss
her.
And give her a big hug for me.
And she was crying but she
really like pushed her
like limit higher and higher
and higher so--
Like it's just like crazy
physical.
Well my legs were like giving
out
and like it hurt so bad.
Like I just couldn't do it
anymore.
And I don't know if I'm gonna
get eliminated.
[Jukka] Are we gonna keep
her in
or should we cut her
out because of the risk factor?
Because of her spirit I
will give her a chance.
But if she has any kind of
problem
to when we are going up
to Ishinca hike that's it.
I will cut her out from
expedition.
That's it.
I think that's fair.
We'll give her a chance.
I signed on because I wanted
to climb the mountain
but it keeps getting like
really really hard.
And it's just frustrating
for me when I'm putting myself
all out there and then I just
can't do it.
You've made it this far.
To see you break down
and still keep on pushing
that's what I'm really looking
at.
Yeah.
[Jukka] We decided to give
you another chance.
[Nikki] So I'm not
eliminated?
You still get to try.
We're gonna give her that
chance
because she really wants to do
it.
She wants to do it for her
daughter.
I can't believe that
I actually didn't get
eliminated.
And so I feel like maybe I can
do the next thing too.
[Narrator] The
expedition leaders have allowed
Nikki
to continue but she's not the
only one
they must closely monitor.
(Chuck coughs)
Good morning Chuck.
[Chuck] Good morning.
[Narrator] Chuck has a
lingering cough
that has the expedition doctor
concerned.
How's your cough?
It's still there.
[Narrator] He will not be
cleared to climb
if his health gets worse.
I'm like yeah I'm fine.
That's the only answer that
makes sense.
I do not wanna get cut.
I do not want them to stop me.
Thank you doc.
(Chuck coughs)
See you.
[Narrator] In two days the
team will attempt
their first
summit 18,000-foot Mount
Ishinca.
It'll be their final test
before summiting
the much higher and far
more technical Mount Tocllaraju.
But in the Peruvian Andes the
ice is always changing.
Global warming is
melting glaciers at a rapid
rate
and they're in constant flux.
So before the rest of
the expedition team can attempt
to summit the local
guides must scout the ascent
route.
So the team has a day to rest
and prepare
for the hike to Ishinca
(mumbles).
This is our lovely laundry
room here?
Step one fill up the bag with
some water.
Oh it's so cold!
Okay get a little soap in
there.
Make your own spin cycle you
know.
Look how dirty the water is in
the bag.
That's what we were sitting
in this filth.
Like you can't it's so foggy.
[Steve-O] Choking
out provided that you don't hit
your head and you're not on
drugs or drunk is safe.
For the most part yes.
I mean there's things that can
happen.
[Steve-O] So you can
just choke me out real quick.
I can choke you out if you
wanna be choked out.
Yes.
Warning guys warning.
What you're about to see is
under the supervision
of the most
professional motherfucker ever,
okay?
Don't play like this.
It's not a funny game
unless you're with Chuck
Liddell.
I have to pee.
Am I likely to pee myself when
I'm out.
Most likely not
because I'm not gonna keep you
out that long.
As soon as you go out--
So you just know what the
fuck you're doing.
(Steve-O grunts)
That was a good one.
(group laughs) That was a
really good one.
Holy shit I had no idea where
I was!
That was amazing!
Chuck Liddell you're a
badass!
Yeah!
He shakes like this.
He just like laid you down
and went.
There you go.
(group laughs) - That was
crazy.
[Steve-O] If you're gonna
get choked out--
Get choked out by Chuck.
Yeah!
Whoo!
That's what you call a
freelapse.
Yeah dude.
All right we made
a swimming pool yesterday.
We dammed there and we dammed
there.
And now Jukka is gonna take a
little bath in it.
(Yukka grunts)
(Gus laughs)
Oh no somebody save it.
Holy baloney!
Ah. (beep)
I cut my foot.
[Gus] Are you okay?
[Chachi] Are you all right?
[Narrator] With no access to
hospitals
or emergency vehicles,
the medical tent is the only
place
to treat injuries at base
camp.
(Jukka groans)
Two years ago when we were
here
a blister took one guy out.
Will this take me down?
Is there a risk for that?
Doctor told me take a rest
day.
I hope that's it for now
and this doesn't get infected.
I just gotta pay attention at
getting healthy again.
Well screw my life.
[Narrator] Minor injuries
turn crippling
in extreme altitudes.
Jukka's attempt to summit is
in jeopardy
without getting rest.
He'll need to sit out the next
challenge.
Up on Ishinca the scouts have
been
checking the route near the
summit
and they radioed down with a
problem.
Several ice bridges have
collapsed.
Now there is no way up the
mountain
without crossing massive
crevices
Apparently there was like
an ice bridge
on top of the mountain
that everybody used to cross.
But that collapsed and now
we have to use aluminum ladders.
[Pete] Does that scare you?
That does scare me
because it's over like a
crevice.
Yeah and it's like eight
meters wide.
That's fucking huge.
You can't jump that.
[Jasmeet] You cannot jump
that.
As you may have heard a
giant crevice has opened
directly on the path of the
summit.
Now that means that today,
we're practicing
how to rescue your teammate or
yourself from an accident.
We're minimizing the
risks and we've got guides
professional guides with us,
but they can get
into an accident as much as
one of you guys.
We might feel safe because
we have guides
but the truth is it's possible
that we have to save the
guides.
It is.
Or if you fall in the crevice,
you gotta be able
to save yourself because the
other teammates
might not be able to get you
out of there.
There's no helicopters coming
in here.
Helicopters can't even fly to
this base camp.
It's up to your team to
save you and get you to safety.
And I'll be evaluating you.
I evaluate people.
First of all it's
mountaineering skills.
The next is their health and
condition.
And the third part is,
of course the teamwork skills.
If people are not
focused enough they're out.
[Jukka] 10 minutes and then
we start.
[Narrator] The team will be
put through
a final series of tests.
First the climbers
must complete a simulated
crevice crossing while roped
together.
When somebody falls,
the first thing he or she does
is he shouts falling as loud
as he can.
And everybody in the rope team
repeats
so that the people know what
is going on.
When you hear shout falling
you take a self arrest
position
which is that you take
from the axe and from the spike.
[Antti] Falling!
[Mikko] You just fall on
your axe shaft.
Okay now each rope team can
start individually
just walk and practice.
[Narrator] Like
military drill instructors
the Finnish guides will create
a high-stress situation to
test the team.
They must identify any weak
links
and remove them from the
expedition
because at 20,000 feet panic
can be lethal.
[Man] Falling!
[Narrator] To mitigate
a fall climbers must learn
how to keep the rope tight.
No we're good.
Oh yeah falling!
Nope.
Jumping.
[Narrator]
Constant communication is key.
The pace on a rope is
determined by the slowest team
member.
[Chachi] I'm trying to keep
up with the guys.
[Narrator] So the
expedition leaders are looking
for
how the group moves together
as one unit.
[Chachi] Jumping.
Here we go.
Jumping.
[Gus] Stop.
[Chachi] Dang it.
Ooh!
I'm fine.
Yeah I'm not here to get
eliminated.
So I'm trying to get to the
top of the mountain.
And if I was with a group that
was capable of doing that
and there was one weak link,
whoever it was
I would absolutely drag the
rope with them
behind them to make sure
that the other three of us
didn't get eliminated.
[Man] Falling!
[Nikki] Falling!
[Narrator] After two
hours of jump and fall training,
everyone moves on to the next
task.
I was actually really
surprised.
I was watching thy guys
(mumbles)
and I was checking their like
eyes and the face.
And everybody were
like really really focused
what they were doing
and I saw that they were like
thinking.
[Narrator] To cross a
crevice
teams must use an aluminum
ladder.
Any misstep could be deadly.
In this next test they will
wear 50-pound packs
and will also use crampons to
simulate the weight
and balance issues they will
face.
(Chuck coughs)
Okay so there's going to be
like huge crevice.
If some reason he is going to
fall or the next one
is going to fall we are like
keeping the rope tight.
Like you can see where
Carlos is putting his crampons.
It's middle of (mumbles) the
ladder.
So that's the base balance you
can get in the ladder.
Both hands in the ladder
and you are not falling down.
Walking in crampons is quite
awkward.
It's like if you had like
stiletto heels
all over the bottom of your
foot
(chuckles) like on your toes
and everything too.
But we're gonna have to do
that up there
so it's important that we
learn down here.
[Narrator] To safely
cross the ladder in crampons
each team member must
be extremely alert to their
footing.
One slip could send the
entire rope team into the
crevice.
[Man] Really good.
[Nikki] Yeah I'm on it now.
[Chachi] Oh yeah you can't
look up. (chuckles)
Ready.
(Chuck coughs)
You definitely hear Chuck
coughing a lot.
Chuck is so strong.
I don't know what he can take
and what he can't take.
[Narrator] With time running
out
before the team leaves to
climb Ishinca
and increasing the threat
of more ice bridges collapsing,
there's one final
challenge they must complete.
Okay please half circle
over there.
[Narrator] This final
exercise
simulates the worst case
scenario.
Today we're learning about
self rescue
which is super important
when you're up in the mountains
in case you fall in a crevice
or something.
We are attached to rope lines,
so we have other people to
look out for us
and other people that we're
looking out for.
But ultimately at some point,
you're kinda always looking
out for yourself.
It's possible that we take a
step which we think is safe
but then boom it breaks and
we fall in.
It is possible yeah.
So when we are walking up to
like a summit
we have to pass those
crevices.
So that's why we have to train
today this thing okay?
Okay so first you are taking
the rope
and you are doing there with
knot.
Clove hitch.
Clove hitch yeah.
And next to that,
you're putting your carabiner
attach to the (mumbles)
and then you're putting inside
of your leg.
After that you are lifting
your leg loop
higher stand up and then
again leg loop.
So you have to find the rhythm
for that.
Okay so I think now you can
start to climb up.
[Narrator] In order to pass,
each team member
must ascend a 25-foot
line pulling themselves upward
only using knots and ropes.
Pete is good guy.
He's strong and he's team
player.
But I think his physics are not
for mountaineering. He's
more like a deadlift man.
[Narrator] What may look
easy is actually
the most physically demanding
test so far.
But it's about technique not
brute strength.
(beep) Too fat for this
shit.
Well I haven't seen
Pete look this like daunted.
[Gus] This has been tough.
Can you imagine like
12 hours into a hike doing this?
And then like imagine if it's
a 100-foot crevice.
[Pete] Shut the (beep) up.
(group laughs)
Yes.
[Man] Yeah Pete.
(group cheers)
It was difficult. (chuckles)
It was very frustrating.
Body weight does play into it,
and that makes a big
difference when you have to
lug more weight up.
It requires more effort.
I'm dead. (chuckles)
Yeah.
Hi-ya!
I'll give myself a little more
slack.
When you have the
rhythm it's easy but then...
[Pete] Gus of
course crushing it like usual.
[Steve-O] Gus of
course making me look terrible.
[Pete] Yeah.
[Man] Very good very good.
Good job.
(grunts) Hi-ya.
Ah (beeps).
The (beep) do I do now?
Ah I hate this!
[Gus] And stand up stand
up.
I was really like for
that to be the one and only time
that I ever go through that in
my whole life.
The boys are struggling.
And I am watching them
thinking man
if they're struggling what's
gonna happen to me?
Nice Chachi.
Crushing it Chachi.
[Steve-O] Chachi's awesome.
[Gus] Yeah Chachi!
I don't know if it's because
I'm lighter
or I'm more flexible but,
uh thank you ballet training.
That's all I can say.
(chuckles)
(Jasmeet grunts)
The self rescue is a test of
like
your patience and you not
panicking.
Just be completely calm
and like understand the rhythm
of how everything goes and
then you'll be fine.
[Gus] Yeah Jus.
(group claps)
All right now let's see if
I can do this.
Nice nice.
There you go.
I came here saying that
I want to live in the moment
but I don't know if
I've necessarily been practicing
that
because I've been focusing so
much on the end goal.
I have to let go of the worry
and just be there
in the moment and try to do my
best in the moment.
Touch that?
(group claps)
So Nikki's hanging on.
It's very good.
She stuck in there and
she still wants to go further.
So that's a really good
attitude to have.
[Man] Excellent good job.
(Nikki chuckles)
(Chuck coughs)
You're doing great buddy.
[Man] Just take your time.
(Chuck breathes heavily)
You can see Chuck
struggling.
It really sucks because he is
really awesome
really supportive.
He's just a team player.
I am a little worried that he
is sick.
(Chuck coughs)
Give yourself a breather if
you need it man.
There's no rush.
You're stuck in a crevice.
I don't know if Chuck is
sick.
I don't know if it's just a
dry cough.
I don't know.
He says he's okay.
You know he's a fighter,
right?
A couple of us are a
little concerned and worried,
you know.
We don't want it to get worse
because we're gonna be pushing
a lot harder now.
Your immune system is gonna
get affected.
We're worried about our team,
you know.
[Chachi] You got it Chuck.
Yes.
[Chachi] You got it.
[Man] Nice Chuck.
(group cheers)
Good job.
Self rescue was a tough one.
It's a little tougher for guys
like me and Pete because we're
heavier.
I'd rather avoid falling in a
crevice
and not have to do that.
And if I do do that if I fall
in a crevice
I hope they can lower me a
rope and pull me out.
[Narrator] Everyone on
the team has passed the test.
Back at base camp,
Chuck attempts to reach his wife
by satellite phone before
nightfall.
It's not easy to get service
here.
My wife gets nervous when I do
anything pretty much.
She worries about me.
It'll make her real happy to
hear that I'm doing well.
Hey baby I'm gonna try one
more time.
But in case I don't get you
again I did great.
Everything's going great.
I feel pretty good.
I mean other than having a
cough
everything's going as planned.
I'm gonna get there.
I'm gonna do it.
Tell the kids I love 'em.
I miss you guys a lot.
Bye.
I retired almost seven years
ago.
I got new kids now and I
don't want them to see
the guy that was world
champion.
I don't want them to see a guy
resting on what he's done in
the past.
So that's what I'm here for,
just to start to that
showing them who their dad
really is.
Coming here has got
me refocused and re-centered.
I can't wait to get up there.
[Narrator] Before
clearing them to climb Ishinca,
Dr. Hikey needs to reevaluate
Jukka's toe injury
and Chuck's worsening cough.
[Jukka] It's infected,
right?
Yeah.
(beep) It is
heartbreaking and it's a really
important thing for me to get
on top of that mountain.
I wanna be able to be there
with the team
supporting them every step of
the way and do it myself.
Now take a deep breath.
(Chuck coughs)
It might be a virus infection.
There's no need for
antibiotic treatment but you
can get
medicine that helps to get out
of the sputum.
Okay perfect.
Yeah.
I've been coughing a little
bit.
And (coughs) but I
still wanted to check it out
make sure I'm okay.
I mean my heart rate's great.
Saturation's fine.
He said he was gonna give me
something
to try to get some of the
phlegm up I guess.
But I should be all right.
I'll be good.
[Narrator] The entire
team is cleared to summit
Ishinca.
Now that we're going to
Ishinca
we're gonna be carrying a
lot of stuff from sleeping bags,
to tents to our own food that
we'll be cooking.
So they'll show how to
pack and what you exactly need.
[Narrator] The climbers will
need to carry
everything on their
backs stoves tents food,
water.
The bags will range in weight
from 50 to 85 pounds.
And for those already
struggling with illness or
injury
and already difficult
climb could become impossible.
So Chuck's been sick.
It's clear that he knows
it but he doesn't want to stop.
He's a fighter.
That's his life.
No matter the pain he wants
to win.
And the win here is the summit
if Ishinca.
He's been struggling.
You can see it but he won't
admit it.
He won't admit it.
I don't know what it's gonna
take
to summit the mountain,
actually.
I come into this not
knowing anything about
mountaineering.
(beep)
I don't know.
I don't wanna quit so I'm not
worried about
having to make a
decision whether I wanna quit.
But obviously it's not up to
me.
We'll see.
[Narrator] Coming up on
Ultimate Expedition.
So we're leaving base camp
with heavy ass bags to go to
high camp.
[Gus] How heavy do you think
these packs are?
[Jasmeet] It feels like 75
pounds.
It makes a huge difference.
(Chuck coughs)
Chuck he's sick.
I already feel like I'm
gonna throw up.
Yeah?
I still might be able to
keep going
I just don't know how far.
[Jukka] Chuck Liddell he
can barely breathe.
Today was the first time
that I saw that he might not
make it.